Frank’s Journey with Derby County Community Trust

Frank Woodward, aged 69, is a current Forever Active participant and regular volunteer at Derby County Community Trust. After joining the programme in 2016, two years on Frank is a much healthier and happier version of himself.

“I’d just started playing walking football locally when I heard about the Derby County Community Trust sessions on a Radio Derby feature. The over 50s team sounded ideal, and I signed up straight away.

“I quickly made a lot of new friends and was encouraged to get more active. Through Jack’s support (programme lead), my increased exercise programme has reduced my waist circumference and significantly improved my lung capacity when I had my asthma check-up. In 12 months I’d almost doubled my lung capacity from 280 litres per minute to 550. My nurse couldn’t believe it!

“Alongside improving my fitness, being part of the Trust has allowed me to improve my skills too. I’ve completed my Sports Leadership course, a Walking Football Activator course and First Aid. Whilst completing my second level of Sports Leadership, I received some devastating news, and without the support from the Trust I would not have been able to complete it.

“My increasing involvement as a volunteer has given me a real focus, and the trips to other football clubs – especially going to Portugal last year to compete overseas – has given me a huge boost and allowed me to continue improving the quality of my life after facing difficulties.

“I would like to emphasise without all the support from DCCT staff and the friendships I have made with my involvement in the Trust, my life would be very different. I would have gone on a downward spiral by losing all confidence, but instead I am really grateful for all the help and support I have received and look forward to everything that is coming up in the future.”

Jack Bell, Health Advisor at DCCT, said:

“Frank’s journey with Derby County Community Trust has been remarkable given the relatively short time he’s been with us. Over two years he’s made significant improvements to his health and his outlook on life and is helping others to do just the same. We look forward to seeing everything else Frank achieves with us in the future and thank him for all his help as a volunteer across our programmes.”

Forever Active is our programme for over 60s which incorporates our walking football teams. For more information on any of the above, please contact [email protected].